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Oregon football history: Ducks rivalry with Oregon State Beavers to continue after Big Ten move

Even though the Oregon Ducks have left the Oregon State Beavers behind to move on to the Big Ten, the regular rivalry meetings will continue.

By Ethan Lee

Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson caries the ball for the Ducks as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson caries the ball for the Ducks as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA
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While many college football fans focus heavily on iconic rivalries throughout the South or in the Midwest, one of college football’s most enduring rivalries takes place on an annual basis out in the Pacific Northwest.

And the in-state battle previously known as the “Civil War” will continue on, even if the Oregon football program exists in a different conference than the Oregon State football program. That’s right, this cornerstone of Oregon football history that has existed for well over a century will continue to exist.

Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State Beavers series summary

  • First meeting: November 3, 1894
  • Last meeting: November 24, 2023
  • Oregon's record: 68-49-10
  • Total games: 127
  • Largest margin of victory: 59 points (Oregon 69, Oregon State 10 in 2017)

Oregon football vs. Oregon State Beavers: A rivalry rooted in history

If you’re taking a time machine to keep up with this rivalry, you’re traveling back to the 19th Century as the first clash between these two Oregon institutions took place in 1894. Oregon State, then known as Oregon Agricultural College, claimed the first win in the series, beating the Ducks 12-0. 

But it didn’t take long for Oregon to bounce back as the Ducks won the very next year by an incredible score of 46-2. 

The series continued on as rivalries often do. Both teams managed to sustain periods of dominance and close contests. And as was somewhat common in college football in the sport’s early days, ties happened on more than one occasion.

Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State: Modern era dominance

But, in recent years, the Ducks have thrived in this rivalry. From 2008 to 2023, Oregon managed to win 13 of the 16 meetings between the Ducks and Beavers. That stretch manages to include the 2017 meeting, which stands out as the most lopsided in the series' history as Oregon beat Oregon State 69-10 in Autzen Stadium.

In recent meetings, Oregon State has managed to pull off a couple upsets here and there, including back in 2016 and then again in 2020. Still, even though past performance doesn’t guarantee future wins, the Ducks have owned this series as of late.

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